The small Asian mongoose (Herpestes jervanicus), also called the Javan mongoose or small Indian mongoose, is a species of small carnivoran which has been introduced to many islands as a form of pest control.

Contents

The small Asian mongoose can be found throughout a wide band in south-east Asia. It is native to Afghanistan and Pakistan, through Nepal, Bhutan, north India and Bangladesh into south-east China, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia. It can also be found in parts of Malaysia and Indonesia. [1]

In Europe, the small Asian mongoose can be found in Croatia (including the islands of Mljet, Kor ula, Hvar and Skrda) [2] and has spread into Bosnia-Hertzegovenia, Montenegro and is near, though not accross, the Albanian border. [3]

Another collection of populations is present in the West Indies archipelago in Cuba, the Dominican Republic (but not Haiti), Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, British Virgin Islands, US Virgin Islands and Trinidad and Tobego. This species is also present in neraby Suriname. [1]

The small Asian mongoose has become established in Hawaii. It is present on the island of Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Oahu. [4]

Elsewhere, the small Asian mongoose can be found in Japan, Mauritius and Fiji. PATHWAYS AND INTRODUCTION

The small Asian mongoose was introduced in order to control pest snake and rodent species. With sugar cane becoming a popular crop, this mongoose was introduced to reduce rat populations, since the rodents were damaging the crops. [5]

In Croatia, the mongoose was introduced to control populations of the horned viper. Five males and seven females were first released in Millet. Following its apparent success, the species was released in Korula in 1921, Bra in 1926, Hvar in 1954 and both iolo and Skoda at an unrecorded time during the 1950s. Fortunately, the small Asian mongoose has since been removed from Bra. [2]

This species is also sold as a pet in some countries, though this occurs mainly in its native range. [1]

The small Asian mongoose's most major impact is the predation of native species. Soon after its introduction to Jamaica, the six endemic vertebrate species became extinct. Within its introduced range, reptiles and ground-nesting birds have been worst affected. [5]